Ultrasonic atomization method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

In the ultrasonic atomization method, a liquid is ultrasonically oscillated in an atomization chamber  4  and a liquid column P is projected in carrier gas to thus atomize the liquid into mists, the carrier gas carrying the atomized mists outwardly of the atomization chamber  4 ; the carrier gas is forcibly sucked from a lateral point being away at a distance (d 1 ) of 5 cm or less from a center axis m of the liquid column P and thereby a gas flow is blown across the liquid column P; the mists are separated away from the liquid column P by means of the blown gas flow; and such separated mists are transferred outwardly of the atomization chamber  4  by means of the carrier gas.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for atomizing aliquid into fine mists. The invention relates in particular to anultrasonic atomization method and apparatus that is used as an apparatusfor atomizing Sake, alcohol used for Sake production, petroleum, crudeoil or the like into the mists to obtain a highly concentrated solutionas a target substance, or which is optimally used as a humidifier, etc.for atomizing water into the mists to be vaporized into the air.

2. Background Art

The present inventor has previously developed an apparatus for atomizinga liquid containing alcohol into mists, collecting such atomized mists,and separating highly concentrated alcohol (see Patent Document 1). Thisseparation apparatus can, for example, ultrasonically oscillate astarting liquid containing alcohol, atomize the liquid into fine miststo be sent into carrier gas, separate and collect the atomized mists,and separate an alcohol liquid having a higher concentration than thestarting liquid. The separation apparatus of this system can separate ahighly concentrated alcohol with a small amount of energy when comparedwith an apparatus in which a starting liquid is heated and vaporized.

In addition, a humidifier ultrasonically oscillating and atomizing waterinto the mists and vaporizing the atomized mists can humidify the airwith a large amount of water and with a small amount of powerconsumption when compared with a method of heating and vaporizing thewater.

In the case of the apparatus for atomizing a liquid into the mists, itis vital how efficiently the liquid can be ultrasonically oscillated andatomized into the mists. This is because the efficiency of atomizinginto the mists determines the amount of energy to be consumed, and whenthe efficiency decreases, the energy consumption increases accordingly.For example, when a lowly concentrated alcohol having been obtained fromfermented organic substances is to be separated from water in producinga highly concentrated alcohol, the atomization of water into the mistscan be utilized. This is because the lowly concentrated alcohol isatomized into the mists and the atomized mists are collected to obtain ahighly concentrated alcohol. The lowly concentrated alcohol is producedby fermentation of organic waste. According to this method, a hugeamount of waste can be efficiently utilized to produce a lowlyconcentrated alcohol. Conventionally, however, the lowly concentratedalcohol is distilled for concentration into the highly concentratedalcohol, which leads to a great amount of energy consumption. Thus, forproduction of a highly concentrated alcohol, a large amount of energy isconsumed in order to utilize the lowly concentrated alcohol beingavailable at a lower cost, which results in an increased cost due to alarge amount of energy consumption. It is really important to seek alower cost process for converting the lowly concentrated alcohol to thehighly concentrated alcohol. The method of atomizing the lowlyconcentrated alcohol into the mists can save energy consumption becausethe alcohol is not vaporized unlike in the method of distillation. Inthe process of atomization into the mists, however, it is important toefficiently atomize the lowly concentrated alcohol into the mists.

The apparatus is also used as a humidifier for ultrasonicallyoscillating water into the mists. For this humidifier as well, it isimportant to increase the efficiency of atomizing into the mists by theultrasonic oscillation in order to achieve efficient humidification withsmaller electrical consumption.

When the liquid is ultrasonically oscillated upwardly from the bottom bythe oscillation apparatus, a liquid column P is generated on the liquidsurface W, as shown in FIG. 1, where the liquid is atomized. Theinventor has developed an apparatus and method for atomizing a liquidinto mists in accordance with such ultrasonic atomization method (referto Patent Document 1).

PRIOR ART

-   Patent Document 1: JP 2005-66554 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

The apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is designed to ultrasonically oscillateand atomize a liquid into mists. In this apparatus, a liquid column Pgenerated in projecting upwardly of the liquid surface W by means of theultrasonic oscillation is blasted by a laterally blown wind, by whichwind the liquid column P is bent down in a parallel direction withrespect to the liquid surface W and thus the atomization efficiency isimproved. By bending down the liquid column in a parallel direction withrespect to the liquid surface, the apparatus can efficiently atomize theliquid inside the liquid column because attenuation of the verticalultrasonic oscillation caused by collision is effectively prevented.However, if an even higher atomization efficiency is available than thisparticular atomization apparatus, it will be possible to further reducerunning and equipment costs to minimum. In particular, the apparatusshown in FIG. 2 suffers a disadvantage that it is difficult to increasean atomization efficiency by using multiple ultrasonic oscillators inorder to increase an amount of atomization per unit time.

The present invention has been made to further improve the efficiency ofatomization, and the object of the invention is to provide an ultrasonicatomization method and apparatus providing such a highly efficientultrasonic atomization method and apparatus as may exceed a conventionalmethod and apparatus of atomization.

Means to Solve the Problem

In the ultrasonic atomization method according to a first aspect of thepresent invention, a liquid is ultrasonically oscillated in anatomization chamber 4 and a liquid column P is projected in carrier gasto thus atomize the liquid into mists, the carrier gas carrying theatomized mists outwardly of the atomization chamber 4; the carrier gasis forcibly sucked from a lateral point being away at a distance (d1) of5 cm or less from a center axis m of the liquid column P and thereby agas flow is blown across the liquid column P; the mists are separatedaway from the liquid column P by means of the blown gas flow; and suchseparated mists are transferred outwardly of the atomization chamber 4by means of the carrier gas.

In the ultrasonic atomization method according to a second aspect of thepresent invention, the carrier gas is forcibly sucked from anintermediate point across a projecting direction of the liquid column P.

In the ultrasonic atomization method according to a third aspect of thepresent invention, the carrier gas is blown to the liquid column P froma first point and sucked into a second point, and the gas flow iscarried across the direction of the liquid column P, whereby the mistsare separated away from the liquid column P.

In the ultrasonic atomization method according to a fourth aspect of thepresent invention, the carrier gas is blown to the liquid column P froma lateral point being away at a distance (d2) of 10 cm or less from thecenter axis m of the liquid column P, whereby the gas flow is blownacross the liquid column P.

In the ultrasonic atomization method according to a fifth aspect of thepresent invention, a plurality of liquid columns P are provided byultrasonically oscillating the liquid in the atomization chamber 4 bymeans of a plurality of ultrasonic oscillators 2; the carrier gas issucked from a lateral point being away at a distance (d1)) of 5 cm orless from a center axis m of each of the liquid columns P, whereby a gasflow is blown across each of the liquid columns P; the mists areseparated away from each of the liquid columns P by means of such blowngas flow; and such separated mists are discharged outwardly of theatomization chamber 4 by means of the carrier gas.

In the ultrasonic atomization method according to a sixth aspect of thepresent invention, the carrier gas is blown to each of the liquidcolumns P from a lateral point being away at a distance (d2) of 10 cm orless from the center axis m of each of the liquid columns P, whereby thegas flow is blown across each of the liquid columns P.

The ultrasonic atomization apparatus according to a seventh aspect ofthe present invention includes:

an atomization chamber 4 for storing the liquid:

a plurality of ultrasonic oscillators 2 for ultrasonically oscillatingthe liquid and allowing a plurality of liquid columns P to project froma liquid surface to thus atomize the liquid into mists;

an ultrasonic power source 3 connected to the plurality of ultrasonicoscillators 2 to supply high-frequency power thereto for ultrasonicoscillation; and

a blower mechanism 20 for blowing a carrier gas to the atomizationchamber 4.

In the ultrasonic atomization apparatus, the blower mechanism 20includes a suction mechanism 21, the suction mechanism being providedwith a suction port 22 at a lateral point being away at a distance (d1)of 5 cm or less from a center axis m of each of the liquid columns Pgenerated by each of the ultrasonic oscillators 2, whereby the carriergas is sucked into the suction port 22 and blown across each of theliquid columns P; wherein the suction mechanism 21 blows the gas flowagainst each of the liquid columns P to thus separate the mists fromeach of the liquid columns P and discharge such separated mistsoutwardly of the atomization chamber 4.

In the ultrasonic atomization apparatus according to an eighth aspect ofthe present invention, the blower mechanism 20 includes:

a suction mechanism 21 provided with the suction port 22 at a lateralpoint away from the liquid column P generated by each of the ultrasonicoscillators 2, whereby the carrier gas is sucked into the suction port22; and

a blast mechanism 25 provided with a blower port 26 for blowing thecarrier gas against each of the liquid columns P.

The blast mechanism 25 blows the carrier gas against the liquid columnP, and the suction mechanism 21 sucks the carrier gas out of the lateralpoint away from the liquid column P to allow the carrier gas to flowacross the liquid column P.

In the ultrasonic atomization apparatus according to a ninth aspect ofthe present invention, the blast mechanism 25 is provided with thesuction port 22 at a lateral point being away at a distance (d2) of 10cm or less from the center axis m of each of the liquid columns P.

In the ultrasonic atomization apparatus according to a tenth aspect ofthe present invention, the suction port 22 and blower port 26 arepositioned respectively at opposing lateral points away from the liquidcolumn P.

In the ultrasonic atomization apparatus according to an eleventh aspectof the present invention, a distance (D) between the suction port 22 andblower port 26 is 15 cm or less.

In the ultrasonic atomization apparatus according to a twelfth aspect ofthe present invention, the suction mechanism 21 includes a suction duct24 provided with the suction port 22 at a lateral point away from eachof the liquid columns P, while the blast mechanism 25 includes a blowerduct 28 provided with the blower port 26 at a lateral point away fromeach of the liquid columns P; the suction duct 24 and blower duct 28 arepositioned alternately in a plurality of lines, and each ultrasonicoscillator 2 is positioned between the suction duct 24 and blower duct28 which are adjacent to each other; and the carrier gas is blown fromthe blower port 26 of the blower duct 28 against each of the liquidcolumns P generated by each ultrasonic oscillator 2, and the carrier gasis sucked into the suction port 22 of the suction duct 24.

Effect of the Invention

The ultrasonic atomization method and apparatus respectively accordingto first and seventh aspects of the invention can yield such anexcellent efficiency of atomization as may exceed a conventional methodand apparatus of atomization. For example, in terms of the sameultrasonic oscillator and the same air volume, a speed of atomizationper hour in the ultrasonic atomization apparatus as shown in FIG. 3exhibits a superb improvement of being more than seven times the speedachieved by the apparatus shown in FIG. 2. This is because in theatomization method and apparatus of the present invention the carriergas is sucked from the lateral point being away at a distance (d1)) of 5cm or less from the center axis of the liquid column and is blown to theliquid column, and thus the carrier gas flows across the liquid columnto efficiently separate from the liquid column the mists which areatomized around the periphery of the liquid column.

In the ultrasonic atomization method according to a second aspect of theinvention, the carrier gas is blown across the intermediate point of theliquid column, and the mists can be efficiently separated from theliquid column. This is because the carrier gas blown across the liquidcolumn can separate the mists from the liquid column at its full height.

In the ultrasonic atomization method according to a third aspect of theinvention, the carrier gas is blown from a first lateral point of theliquid column and sucked into a second lateral point of the liquidcolumn, which assures that the carrier gas can be most efficiently usedfor separating the mists. This enables the mists to be efficientlyseparated with a particularly smaller air volume.

In the ultrasonic atomization method according to a fifth aspect of theinvention, a plurality of ultrasonic oscillators efficiently separatethe mists from each of the liquid columns generated by each ofultrasonic oscillators. Thus, the use of a plurality of ultrasonicoscillators enables a total amount of atomizable mists to be highlyincreased.

In the ultrasonic atomization apparatus according to an eighth aspect ofthe invention, the carrier gas is blown out of the blower port in theblast mechanism to the lateral point away from the liquid column, andsucked from the lateral point away from the liquid column into thesuction port in the suction mechanism in a manner that the carrier gasis carried across the liquid column. The carrier gas blown from a firstlateral point of the liquid column and sucked into a second lateralpoint can be most efficiently used for separation of the mists. Thus,the mists can be efficiently separated with a smaller air volume in theblower mechanism.

In the ultrasonic atomization apparatus according to a tenth aspect ofthe invention, the arrangement of the suction port and blower portrespectively at the opposing lateral points away from the liquid columnenables the carrier gas fed out of the blower port to be carried acrossthe liquid column for an efficient suction into the suction port.

In the ultrasonic atomization apparatus according to an eleventh aspectof the invention, the arrangement of the liquid column between thesuction port and the blower port, being set at the distance (D) of 15 cmor less, enables the carrier gas to be forcibly blown rectilinearly fromthe blower port to the suction port, with the dispersion of the carriergas being reduced to minimum. In addition, the passage of such blowncarrier gas through the liquid column enables the mists to be separatedin a specially efficient manner.

In the ultrasonic atomization apparatus according to a twelfth aspect ofthe invention, while its entire structure is simplified, the mists canbe efficiently separated from the plurality of liquid columns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic, cross section view showing the state where thesolution is ultrasonically oscillated to form a liquid column on thesurface of the solution;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram which schematically shows the ultrasonicseparation apparatus having previously been invented by the presentinventor;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram which schematically shows the separationapparatus provided with the ultrasonic atomization apparatus inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a vertical, cross sectional view showing the ultrasonicatomization apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, cross sectional view showing the connectionstructure of the ultrasonic oscillator;

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the amplifier for highfrequency;

FIG. 7 is a vertical, cross sectional view showing the ultrasonicatomization apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal, cross sectional view showing the ultrasonicatomization apparatus in accordance with yet another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view showing the ultrasonic atomization apparatusin accordance with even another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged, vertical, cross sectional view of theultrasonic atomization apparatus shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a vertical, cross sectional view showing the ultrasonicatomization apparatus in accordance with an alternative embodiment ofthe invention; and

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, cross sectional view of the ultrasonicatomization apparatus shown in FIG. 11.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted here thatthe following embodiments are intended to be illustrative of anultrasonic atomization method and apparatus to embody the technicalideas of the invention, and the inventive method and apparatus are, inno way, limited to the ultrasonic atomization method and apparatusdescribed below.

Further, in the present disclosure, reference numerals corresponding tomembers shown in the embodiments are suffixed to members shown in the“CLAIMS” and “MEANS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM” in order to facilitateappreciation of the claims. However, the members shown in the claimsshall, in no way, be specified to those members shown in theembodiments.

In the present ultrasonic atomization method and apparatus, the liquidis ultrasonically oscillated to atomize the mists into the carrier gas.A specific example in which the ultrasonic atomization apparatus is usedas a separation apparatus shall now be discussed in conjunction withembodiment(s) of the present invention. In the separation apparatusdescribed below, a liquid containing two or more substances isultrasonically oscillated to be atomized into mists, and such atomizedmists are condensed and collected to thus separate the liquid. In thepresent invention, however, an application of the ultrasonic atomizationapparatus is not limited to a liquid separation apparatus. Theultrasonic atomization apparatus of the present invention can also beused as a humidifier for atomizing water into mists to be vaporized intothe air.

In the following separation apparatus provided with the ultrasonicatomization apparatus, a specific liquid is separated in a highconcentration from a liquid containing at least two kinds of substances.Although not intended to specify a solvent and/or a solute contained inthe liquid, water is a main solvent. Besides the water, other organicsolvents such as alcohol can also be used. By way of example, the liquidto be separated includes any of the following:

(1) refined Sake, beer, wine, table vinegar, sweet Sake for cooking,spirits, Japanese ‘Shouchuu’ spirits, brandy, whisky, liquor;

(2) any liquid including a perfume, aromatic component or aromacomponent such as pinene, linalool, limonene, polyphenol;

(3) any liquid including an organic compound belonging to any among thealkanes or cyclo-alkanes, which are saturated hydrocarbons, alkenes,cyclo-alkenes, alkynes, which are unsaturated hydrocarbons, or ethers,thioethers or aromatic hydrocarbons, or a substance in which these arecombined;

(4) any liquid including a substance in which, in an organic compoundbelonging to any among the alkanes or cyclo-alkanes, which are saturatedhydrocarbons, alkenes, cyclo-alkenes, alkynes, which are unsaturatedhydrocarbons, or ethers, thioethers or aromatic hydrocarbons, or acombination of these, at least one hydrogen atom or functional radicalhas been replaced with a halogen;

(5) any liquid including a substance in which, in an organic compoundbelonging to any among the alkanes or cyclo-alkanes, which are saturatedhydrocarbons, alkenes, cyclo-alkenes, alkynes, which are unsaturatedhydrocarbons, or ethers, thioethers or aromatic hydrocarbons, or acombination of these, at least one hydrogen atom or functional radicalhas been replaced with a hydroxyl group;

(6) any liquid including a substance in which, in an organic compoundbelonging to any among the alkanes or cyclo-alkanes, which are saturatedhydrocarbons, alkenes, cyclo-alkenes, alkynes, which are unsaturatedhydrocarbons, or ethers, thioethers or aromatic hydrocarbons, or acombination of these, at least one hydrogen atom or functional radicalhas been replaced with an amino group;

(7) any liquid including a substance in which, in an organic compoundbelonging to any among the alkanes or cyclo-alkanes, which are saturatedhydrocarbons, alkenes, cyclo-alkenes, alkynes, which are unsaturatedhydrocarbons, or ethers, thioethers or aromatic hydrocarbons, or acombination of these, at least one hydrogen atom or functional radicalhas been replaced with a carbonyl group;

(8) any liquid including a substance in which, in an organic compoundbelonging to any among the alkanes or cyclo-alkanes, which are saturatedhydrocarbons, alkenes, cyclo-alkenes, alkynes, which are unsaturatedhydrocarbons, or ethers, thioethers or aromatic hydrocarbons, or acombination of these, at least one hydrogen atom or functional radicalhas been replaced with a carboxyl group;

(9) any liquid including a substance in which, in an organic compoundbelonging to any among the alkanes or cyclo-alkanes, which are saturatedhydrocarbons, alkenes, cyclo-alkenes, alkynes, which are unsaturatedhydrocarbons, or ethers, thioethers or aromatic hydrocarbons, or acombination of these, at least one hydrogen atom or functional radicalhas been replaced with a nitro group;

(10) any liquid including a substance in which, in an organic compoundbelonging to any among the alkanes or cyclo-alkanes, which are saturatedhydrocarbons, alkenes, cyclo-alkenes, alkynes, which are unsaturatedhydrocarbons, or ethers, thioethers or aromatic hydrocarbons, or acombination of these, at least one hydrogen atom or functional radicalhas been replaced with a cyano group;

(11) any liquid; including a substance in which, in an organic compoundbelonging to any among the alkanes or cyclo-alkanes, which are saturatedhydrocarbons, alkenes, cyclo-alkenes, alkynes, which are unsaturatedhydrocarbons, or ethers, thioethers or aromatic hydrocarbons, or acombination of these, at least one hydrogen atom or functional radicalhas been replaced with a mercapto group;

(12) any liquid including a substance in which any one or more atomsincluded in a liquid mentioned above in (3) to (11) has been replacedwith a metal ion;

(13) any liquid including a substance in which any hydrogen atom, carbonatom or functional radical in a molecule included in a liquid mentionedabove in (3) to (11) has been replaced with any molecule among moleculesmentioned above in (3) to (11);

(14) any liquid including a substance in which any carbon atom in amolecule included in a liquid mentioned above in (3) to (11) has beenreplaced with any atom;

(15) any liquid including nonvolatile matter such as surfactant, saline,saccharide, organic acid, inorganic acid, and amino acid; and

(16) any liquid mixture with water including heavy water.

When a liquid containing two or more substances is ultrasonicallyoscillated to separate mists from the liquid and such separated mistsare condensed and collected, a concentration of contained substance(s)differs between the liquid collected from the mists and the remainingliquid which is not turned to the mists. For example, when an alcoholicsolution is atomized into mists by the ultrasonic oscillation and suchatomized mists are collected, the liquid thus collected from theatomized mists has a higher concentration of alcohol than does theremaining alcohol which is not turned to the mists. The reason for suchhigher alcohol concentration in the liquid obtained by condensing andcollecting the mists is that when compared with the water, the alcoholis easier to be atomized into fine mists by the ultrasonic oscillation.

Now with alcohol being taken as an exemplary liquid, an explanationshall be made on a separation apparatus for atomizing the alcohol intomists by the ultrasonic atomization apparatus, collecting the mists, andseparating highly concentrated alcohol from the collected mists. Itshould be noted that, in the separation apparatus, the liquid is notspecified to be alcohol as a target to be atomized and separated. Theinvention can be used for separating any of the liquids that can beseparated in the form of atomized mists as enumerated above, as well asfor separating other kinds of liquids.

The liquid separation apparatus shown in FIG. 3 includes an ultrasonicatomization apparatus 1 for atomizing the liquid into the mists, and acollection unit 5 for collecting the mists atomized by the ultrasonicatomization apparatus 1.

The ultrasonic atomization apparatus shown respectively in FIG. 3 andFIG. 4 includes an atomization chamber 4 for storing a liquid to beatomized into mists, an ultrasonic oscillator 2 for ultrasonicallyoscillating the liquid and allowing a liquid column P to project fromthe liquid surface W to thus atomize the liquid into the mists, anultrasonic power source 3 connected to the ultrasonic oscillator 2 andsupplying high-frequency power to the ultrasonic oscillator 2 forultrasonic oscillation, and a blower mechanism 20 for blowing thecarrier gas into the atomization chamber 4.

The atomization chamber 4 is a closed chamber storing a liquidmaintained at a given level of liquid surface W, inside which the liquidis atomized into the mists and such atomized mists are dischargedoutwardly by means of the carrier gas. It should be noted, however, thatthe atomization chamber does not necessarily have to be completelysealed off but can be partially opened. The atomization chamber 4 shownin FIG. 4 is provided with a liquid supply port 13 positioned below theliquid surface level. In order to control a constant level of the liquidto be supplied, the chamber is provided with an overflow port 14. Theliquid is supplied from the supply port 13 and discharged through theoverflow port 14. In this atomization chamber 4, the liquid surface iscontrolled the overflow port 14 to maintain a constant level, but it isalso possible to maintain the constant level of the liquid surface bycontrolling a weight of the liquid supplied from the supply port 13. Inthe atomization chamber 4 where the constant level of the liquid surfaceis controlled, the depth of the liquid to be ultrasonically oscillatedby the ultrasonic oscillator 2 can be maintained to be such a depth asmay be most efficiently atomizable.

The liquid is supplied into the atomization chamber 4 using a supplymechanism 7. The supply mechanism 7 shown in FIG. 3 includes a liquidreservoir 11 storing the liquid to be supplied to the atomizationchamber 4, and a liquid pump 10 for supplying into the atomizationchamber 4 the liquid stored in the liquid reservoir 11. The liquid pump10 has its suction side connected to the liquid reservoir 11 whilehaving its discharging side communicated with the atomization chamber 4.This supply mechanism 7 is so constructed as to continuously supply theliquid from the liquid reservoir 11 to the atomization chamber 4. In theultrasonic atomization apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 3, while the liquid isdischarged out of the atomization chamber 4, the liquid is supplied fromthe liquid reservoir 11 to thus prevent a reduction of the concentrationof a target substance, such as liquid alcohol, in the atomizationchamber 4. In this ultrasonic atomization apparatus 1, when aconcentration of the target substance is reduced, i.e., when a giventime period is elapsed, the liquid can be renewed by replacing a newliquid in the atomization chamber 4 and the liquid reservoir 11. Also asindicated by arrow A in the drawing, it is possible to prevent areduction of the concentration of the target substance contained in theliquid reservoir 11, by discharging the liquid contained in theatomization chamber 4 outwardly instead of circulation into the liquidreservoir 11.

As shown in the enlarged, cross sectional view in FIG. 5, the ultrasonicoscillator 2 is so fixed as to water-tightly close off the opening 12Aprovided to the bottom plate 12 of the atomization chamber 4. With anelectrode provided on a back surface being connected to thehigh-frequency power source 3, the ultrasonic oscillator 2 isultrasonically oscillated by the power supplied from the high-frequencypower source 3. The high-frequency power source 3 is connected to theultrasonic oscillator 2 via a lead wire 15 to thus output high-frequencypower to the ultrasonic oscillator 2.

As shown in FIG. 6, the high-frequency power source 3 is provided withan output transistor 16 which is switched on and off at given intervalsto output the high-frequency power to the ultrasonic oscillator 2. Theoutput side of the output transistor 16 is connected via a transformer17 to the ultrasonic oscillator 2. The illustrated high-frequency powersource 3 employs an FET as the output transistor 16 but can also employa bipolar transistor.

As shown in FIG. 4, the blower mechanism 20 is provided with the suctionport 22 being away at a distance (d1) of 5 cm or less from the centeraxis m of the liquid column P generated by ultrasonic oscillation, andincludes a suction mechanism 21 for sucking the carrier gas into thesuction port 22 to blow the gas flow across the liquid column P. As thecarrier gas is blown across the liquid column P, the liquid column P isso formed that its distal end bends in the blowing direction as shown inFIG. 4, depending on an air volume to be blown. The bending form is notuniform but varies depending on the air volume of the carrier gas. Inthe present specification, therefore, the “center axis m of the liquidcolumn” shall mean the direction that when the carrier gas is not blown,the liquid column P is projected by the ultrasonic oscillator 2, namely,the vertical line L running in the center of the ultrasonic oscillator2. The suction port 22 is at a distance (d1) away from the center axis mwhich coincides with the vertical line L.

Furthermore, the blower mechanism 20 shown in FIG. 4 is also providedwith a blast mechanism 25 for blowing the carrier gas toward the liquidcolumn P. The blast mechanism 25 laterally blows the carrier gas towardthe liquid column P from the blower port 26 provided at the lateralpoint away from the liquid column P. In the illustrated blower mechanism20, the blower port 26 is arranged at a first lateral point away fromthe liquid column P, and the suction port 22 is arranged at a secondlateral point away from the liquid column P. In other words, the blowerport 26 and the suction port 22 are placed at opposing lateral pointsaway from the liquid column P, between which is placed the liquid columnP.

In the blower mechanism 20 described above, the carrier gas is blownrectilinearly from the blower port 26 toward the suction port 22, whichis made possible by sucking into the suction port 22 the carrier gasblown from the blower port 26. Such rectilinearly blown carrier gasflows across the liquid column P to efficiently separate from the liquidcolumn P the mists generated around the liquid column P. The blower port26 and the suction port 22 are provided at the intermediate point of theprojecting direction of the liquid column P. When the projecting lengthof the liquid column P is considered to be 100%, the suction port 22 andthe blower port 26 which are opened at the intermediate point of theprojecting direction of the liquid column P are placed for example atthe position of 10%-20% in the projecting direction, preferably 30%-80%,and more preferably 40%-80%. The blower port 26 and the suction port 22provided at the intermediate point of the liquid column P allows thecarrier gas to flow across the intermediate point of the liquid columnP, and thus the mists dispersed around the liquid column P is mostefficiently separated from the liquid column P.

The suction port 22; being at a distance (d1) of 5 cm or less away fromthe center axis m of the liquid column P, allows the sucked carrier gasto be efficiently carried across the liquid column P. When the distance(d1)) of the suction port 22 away from the center axis m of the liquidcolumn P is shortened, the carrier gas sucked into the suction port 22can be blown across the liquid column P more efficiently. Therefore, thedistance (d1) of the suction port 22 away from the center axis m of theliquid column P is set to be more preferably 3 cm or less. However, whenthe suction port 22 is placed too close to the liquid column P, largerparticles of the mists generated around the liquid column P are morelikely to be sucked into the suction port 22, resulting in a difficultyof selectively sucking fine mists alone. When larger mists are sucked, aseparation efficiency decreases in the case of the separation apparatus.For example, in the case of an apparatus for atomizing an alcoholicsolution into the mists, an alcoholic concentration with fine mistsbecomes higher than the one with larger mists. Therefore, in the case ofan atomization apparatus to be used as a separation apparatus, thedistance (d1) of the suction port 22 away from the center axis m of theliquid column P is set to be an optimal value, with the size of thesucked mists being taken into consideration, and so such distance (d1)is set to be for example larger than 3 mm, and preferably larger than 5mm. However, in the case of such an atomization apparatus as may notmind the size of mists like in a humidifier, the distance of the suctionport away from the center axis of the liquid column can be shortened toallow the mists to be generated more efficiently.

Furthermore, when the blower port 26 is also placed closer to the liquidcolumn P, the carrier gas can be efficiently blown across the liquidcolumn P. Therefore, the distance (d2) of the blower port 26 away fromthe center axis m of the liquid column P is set to be 10 cm or less, andpreferably 5 cm or less. When the blower port 26 is also placed tooclose to the liquid column P, the mean particle size of the mistsseparated from the liquid column P becomes larger. Therefore, in thecase of an atomization apparatus to be used as a separation apparatus,the distance (d2) of the blower port 26 away from the center axis m ofthe liquid column P is set to be preferably 3 mm or more, and morepreferably 5 mm or more.

In the case of a blower mechanism 20 having the blower port 26 and thesuction port 22 respectively placed at opposite lateral points away fromthe liquid column P, in other words, in the case of a blower mechanism20 having the liquid column P placed between the blower port 26 and thesuction port 22, the distance (D) between the blower port 26 and thesuction port 22 affects an atomization efficiency and a mean particlesize of the mists. As the blower port 26 and the suction port 22 areplaced closer to each other, the carrier gas blown rectilinearly fromthe blower port 26 to the suction port 22 becomes larger in volume, andthe carrier gas blown dispersedly away from the straight line becomessmaller in volume. For this reason, the atomization efficiency can beincreased when the distance (D) between the blower port 26 and thesuction port 22 is shortened to enable the carrier gas to be efficientlyblown across the liquid column P. However, when such distance (D) is tooshort, the mean particle size of the mists separated from the liquidcolumn P becomes larger. Therefore, in the case of an atomizationapparatus to be used as a separation apparatus, the distance (D) betweenthe blower port 26 and the suction port 22 is set to be, for example, 15cm or less, and preferably 8 cm or less, and thus the mean particle sizeof the separated mists becomes smaller. However, in an application thatthe mean particle size of the mists is not minded like in a humidifier,the distance (D) between the blower port 26 and the suction port 2 canbe made narrower.

In the blower mechanism 20 shown in FIG. 7, the distance (d2) of theblower port 26 of the blast mechanism 25 away from the center axis m ofthe liquid column P is made shorter than the distance (d1) of thesuction port 22 of the suction mechanism 21 away from the center axis mof the liquid column P. This blower mechanism 20 carries the advantagethat the mists can be efficiently separated from the liquid column Pwhich is bent by the carrier gas blown from the blower port 26 and thusthe mean particle size can be made smaller. This is because even whenthe liquid column P is bent by the carrier gas blown across the liquidcolumn P, the suction port 22 is positioned away from the liquid columnP to thus suck the mists.

In the blower mechanism 20 shown respectively in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, thesuction mechanism 21 is provided with a suction fan 23 for sucking thecarrier gas into the suction port 22. The suction fan 23 sucks thecarrier gas out of the atomization chamber 4 into the suction port 22,and the carrier gas is forcibly discharged outwardly. When the carriergas is forcibly discharged, the atomization chamber 4 is evacuated. Whenthe atomization chamber 4 is evacuated, the carrier gas is blown out ofthe blower port 26 into the atomization chamber 4. The atomizationapparatus in which the atomization chamber 4 is evacuated and thecarrier gas is discharged outwardly can improve the atomizationefficiency by evacuating the atomization chamber 4. In addition, thecarrier gas can be blown out of the blower port 26 toward the liquidcolumn P without using a fan for forcibly blowing the carrier gas out ofthe blower port 26. In the blower mechanism 20, however, the blower port26 can also be connected to the blower fan 27 to blow the carrier gas tothe liquid column P by means of the blower fan 27. It is also possiblethat the blower port 26 is connected to the blower fan 27 and thesuction port 22 is connected to the suction fan 23, and thus the carriergas can also be blown across the liquid column P by both of the blowerfan 27 and the suction fan 23.

In the blower mechanism 20 shown respectively in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, theblast mechanism 25 has the blower port 26 connected to the blower fan27, and the blower fan 27 blows the carrier gas to the liquid column P.In this blower mechanism 20, the carrier gas is blown to the liquidcolumn P without evacuating the atomization chamber 4. Furthermore, inthe illustrated blower mechanism 20, the blower port 26 is connected tothe blower fan 27 while the suction port 22 is connected to the suctionfan 23, and thus the carrier gas is blown across the liquid column P byboth of the blower fan 27 and the suction fan 23. In the blowermechanism 20 provided with the blower fan 27 and the suction fan 23, thesuction of the suction fan 23 is powered up to be stronger than theblower fan 27 to thus be able to blow the carrier gas to the liquidcolumn P, with the atomization chamber 4 being evacuated. It is alsopossible that the blow of the blower fan 27 is powered up to be strongerthan the suction 23 to thus be able to keep the atomization chamberunder a pressurized state.

In the blower mechanism 20 shown respectively in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, thesuction port 22 is placed at a first lateral point away from the liquidcolumn P and the blower port 26 is placed at a second lateral point awayfrom the liquid column P, and thus the carrier gas is blown across theliquid column P. In the blower mechanism 20 as shown in FIG. 8, twolateral points away from the liquid column P may be respectivelyprovided with each blower port 26 to make up the suction mechanism 21,and another two lateral points away from the liquid column P may berespectively provided with each suction port 22 to make up a blastmechanism 25. In this blower mechanism 20, the blower port 26 and thesuction port 22 are placed at opposite positions, and thus the carriergas blown out of the blower port 26 is sucked into the suction port 22to be blown across the liquid column P. In this blower mechanism 20 aswell, the distance (d1) of the suction port 22 away from the center axism of the liquid column P is set to be 5 cm or less, and the distance(d2) of the blower port 26 away from the center axis m of the liquidcolumn P is set to be 10 cm or less.

In the ultrasonic atomization apparatus 1 described above, theultrasonic oscillator 2 are placed horizontally to allow the liquidcolumn P to project vertically from the liquid surface. Regarding theatomization apparatus, it is also possible that the ultrasonicoscillator 2 is placed in an oblique posture to allow the liquid columnP to project in an oblique posture with respect to the liquid surface.In this atomization apparatus as well, “the center axis of the liquidcolumn” shall mean a vertical line at the center of the ultrasonicoscillator.

The ultrasonic atomization apparatus 1 shown in the top plan view inFIG. 9 and in the vertical, cross section view in FIG. 10 has aplurality of arrays of ultrasonic oscillators 2 arranged in theatomization chamber 4. In the illustrated ultrasonic atomizationapparatus 1, ten pieces of ultrasonic oscillators 2 are placed in onerow, which are then arranged to make up four lines, thus arranging fortypieces of ultrasonic oscillators 2 in total at the bottom of theatomization chamber 4.

In the illustrated ultrasonic atomization apparatus 1, the suctionmechanism 21 includes a suction duct 24 in which a suction port 22 isprovided at a lateral point away from each liquid column P, while theblast mechanism 25 includes a blower duct 28 in which a blower port 26is provided at a lateral point away from each liquid column P. In theillustrated atomization apparatus, the suction duct 24 of the suctionmechanism 21 and the blower duct 28 of the blast mechanism 25 arearranged in a parallel relationship on opposite sides of each row ofultrasonic oscillator 2. The suction duct 24 is provided with thesuction port 22 at a lateral point away from the liquid column Pprojecting above each ultrasonic oscillator 2. Therefore, the suctionduct 24 has the suction port 22 at the interval of arranging eachultrasonic oscillator 2. In the suction mechanism 21, the suction duct24 is placed such that the distance (d1) of the suction port 22 awayfrom the center axis m of the liquid column P generated by eachultrasonic oscillator 2 is 5 cm or less. The blower duct 28 is providedwith the blower port 26 at the lateral point away from the liquid columnP. The blower duct 28 shown in FIG. 10 is provided with an injectionportion 29 projecting from the blower duct 28 toward the liquid columnP, and thus the carrier gas can be effectively blown toward the liquidcolumn P, with a distal end of the injection portion 29 being providedwith the blower port 26. The blower duct 28 as well is provided with theblower port 26 at the interval of arranging each ultrasonic oscillator2. In the blast mechanism 25 as well, the blower duct 28 is arrangedsuch that the distance (d2) of the blower port 26 away from the centeraxis m of the liquid column P generated by each ultrasonic oscillator 2is 10 cm or less. The suction duct 24 and the blower duct 28 arealternately arranged in a plurality of rows, and the ultrasonicoscillator 2 is arranged between the suction duct 24 and the blower duct28 which are adjacent to each other.

Furthermore, in the blower mechanism 20 shown in FIG. 9, the blower duct28 is connected to the blower fan 27, while the suction duct 24 isconnected to the suction fan 23. In the atomization apparatus describedabove, the carrier gas is blown out of the blower port 26 of the blowerduct 28 to each liquid column P generated by each ultrasonic oscillator2, and the carrier gas is sucked into the suction port 22 of the suctionduct 24; thus the carrier gas is blown across the liquid column P andthe mists are separated from each liquid column P.

Furthermore, in the ultrasonic atomization apparatus 1 shownrespectively in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, a tubular body 6 is arranged insidethe atomization chamber 4. The tubular body 6, being arranged above theultrasonic oscillator 2, allows the liquid column P to project out ofthe top end of tubular body 6, the liquid column P being generated fromthe liquid which is ultrasonically oscillated by the ultrasonicoscillator 2. The tubular body 6, being a conical tube tapered towardthe upper end, is provided with a spraying port 6A at the upper end. Inthe ultrasonic atomization apparatus 1 illustrated in these drawings,the liquid supplied to the atomization chamber 4 is supplied inside thetubular body 6, while the liquid supplied inside the tubular body issubjected to an ultrasonic oscillation directed from the ultrasonicoscillator 2 toward the spraying port 6A, from which is projected thegenerated liquid column P. The illustrated ultrasonic oscillator 2radiates an ultrasonic wave upwardly. Therefore, the tubular body 6 isarranged, above the ultrasonic oscillator 2, in a vertical posture.

In the ultrasonic atomization apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 11, a pluralityof ultrasonic oscillators 2 are arranged on the bottom plate 12 of theatomization chamber 4, while a plurality of tubular bodies 6 are placedat the lower portion of the atomization chamber 4 in an opposingrelationship with respect to each ultrasonic oscillator 2. In the caseof this ultrasonic atomization apparatus 1, the plurality of tubularbodies 6 are arranged to be upwardly spaced apart from the bottom plate12 to which the ultrasonic oscillator is fixed. In the ultrasonicatomization apparatus 1, the ultrasonic oscillation generated by theultrasonic oscillator 2 positioned below the lower end of the tubularbody 6 is guided inwardly of the tubular body 6, and thus the liquidcolumn P is projected out of the spraying port 6A located at the upperend of the tubular body 6. The plurality of tubular bodies 6, with theirlower ends being connected to a connection plate 18, are arranged on thesame plane. In this ultrasonic atomization apparatus 1, the lowerportion of the atomization chamber 4 to which the liquid is supplied isof a structure being closed by the tubular bodies 6 and the connectionplate 18, and the liquid supplied in here is to be projected by theultrasonic oscillation as a liquid column P into the gas out of thespraying ports 6A of the plurality of tubular bodies 6.

In the ultrasonic atomization apparatus 1 provided with the tubular body6, the liquid supplied inwardly of the tubular body 6 is exposed to theultrasonic oscillation in the direction toward the spraying port 6A fromthe ultrasonic oscillator 2, and thus the liquid column P is projectedfrom the spraying port 6A. This tubular body 6 allows the liquid columnto efficiently protect from the liquid being ultrasonically oscillatedby the ultrasonic oscillator 2. The illustrated tubular body 6 is aconical horn tapering gradually toward the upper end. However, thetubular body can be an exponential horn with its inner surface being ofan exponentially curved shape. The tubular body in the shape of aconical horn or an exponential horn has an advantage that the ultrasonicoscillation can be efficiently transmitted inwardly to efficientlygenerate the liquid column P. It should be noted, however, that thetubular body can also be a cylindrical, oblong or polygonal tube.

For an efficient transmission of the ultrasonic oscillation inwardly ofthe tubular body, the inner shape at the lower end of the tubular body 6is made either smaller or larger than the outer shape of the ultrasonicoscillator 2, and thus the ultrasonic oscillation rises along the innersurface of the tubular body 6. As illustrated in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, inthe tubular body 6 which is arranged to be spaced apart from the bottomplate 12 to which the ultrasonic oscillator 2 is fixed, the innerdiameter of the spraying port 6A at the lower end of the tubular body 6is set to be 50-150%, preferably 60-100% of the outer diameter of theultrasonic oscillator 2.

The size of the spraying port 6A of the tubular body 6 specificallydetermines the diametrical thickness of the liquid column P when theliquid supplied into the tubular body 6 projects as the liquid column Pout of the spraying port 6A, namely the cross section of the liquidcolumn P. A liquid column with its larger cross section, due to itslarger surface area, can be efficiently atomized into the gas by theultrasonic oscillation. To be noted is that when such cross section istoo large, energy required of the ultrasonic oscillator for atomizationfrom the surface of the liquid column becomes larger. Conversely, whenthe cross section is made smaller, the energy required of the ultrasonicoscillator for atomization can be made smaller, but the surface area ofthe liquid column becomes smaller and the efficiency of atomizing intothe mists decreases in a state where the carrier gas is blown.Therefore, with these factors in mind, the size of the spraying port 6Aof the tubular body 6 is designed to be optimal in accordance with thesize, output, frequency, etc. of the ultrasonic oscillator 2.

With reference to the liquid column P projecting out of the sprayingport 6A of the tubular body 6, the mists are separated by the carriergas carried by the blower mechanism 20, and such separated mists aretransferred by means of the carrier gas outwardly of the atomizationchamber 5. The illustrated blower mechanism includes the suctionmechanism 21 that is provided with a suction port 22 at a lateral pointaway from the liquid column P projecting out of the spraying port 6A ofthe tubular body 6, and which sucks the carrier gas into the suctionport 22 to thus blow the gas flow across the liquid column P. Inaddition, the blower mechanism 20 shown in FIG. 11 also includes theblast mechanism 25 for blowing the carrier gas toward the liquid columnP. In the blast mechanism 25, the carrier gas is blown laterally towardthe liquid column P out of the blower port 26 opened at a lateral pointaway from the liquid column P. In the blower mechanism 20 shown in FIG.12, the blower port 26 is placed at a first lateral point away from theliquid column P, the suction port 22 is placed at a second lateral pointaway from the liquid column P, namely, the blower port 26 and thesuction port 22 are placed at opposite lateral points away from theliquid column P with respect to each other, or in other words, theliquid column P is placed between the blower port 26 and the suctionport 22. In this blower mechanism 20 as well, the distance (d1) of thesuction port 22 away from the center axis m of the liquid column P isset to be 5 cm or less, and preferably 3 cm or less, and thus thecarrier gas to be sucked is efficiently blown across the liquid columnP. In addition, the distance (d2) of the blower port 26 away from thecenter axis m of the liquid column P is set to be 10 cm or less, andpreferably 5 cm or less.

Furthermore, the blower mechanism 20 shown in FIG. 11 includes thesuction fan 23 with which the suction mechanism 21 sucks the carrier gasinto the suction port 22, and the carrier gas sucked out of theatomization chamber 4 into the suction port 22 is forcibly dischargedoutwardly. Also in the blower mechanism 20, the blast mechanism 25 hasthe blower port 26 connected to the blower fan 27, and the carrier gasis blown by the blower fan 27 to the liquid column P. In thisatomization apparatus, the carrier gas out of the blower port 26 of theblower duct 28 is blown to each liquid column P projecting out of thespraying port 6A of the tubular body 6, with the carrier gas beingsucked into the suction port 22 of the suction duct 24 so as to becarried across the liquid column P, and thus the mists are separatedfrom each liquid column P. Such structure enables the mists to beefficiently separated and carried from the surface of the liquid columnP projecting out of the spraying port 6A of the tubular body 6. Inparticular, as the tubular body 6 enables the liquid column P to begenerated in a more accurate position, the carrier gas can be preciselyblown across the liquid column P to thus separate the mists efficientlyfrom the surface of the liquid column P.

Furthermore, in the atomization apparatus shown in FIG. 11, theatomization chamber 4 is provided with a discharge path 19 which is usedfor collecting the liquid overflowed and blown around the spraying port6A of the tubular body 6. The liquid column P projecting out of thespraying port 6A of the tubular body 6 in the state of ultrasonicallyoscillation is atomized into the mists by the carrier gas and such mistsare transferred outwardly, but part of the liquid column P, in the stateof liquid without being atomized, falls down around the tubular body 6.The atomization chamber 4 is connected to the discharge path 19 in orderto collect such liquid. The liquid collected at the discharge path 19 isagain circulated into the liquid reservoir 11, or alternatively theliquid is discharged outwardly as indicated by arrow A in the drawing.

In the ultrasonic atomization apparatus 1 described above, the liquid inthe atomization chamber 4 is ultrasonically oscillated by the ultrasonicoscillation 2 to be atomized into the mists. The mists atomized by theatomization apparatus is higher than the liquid in terms of theconcentration of the target substance. Therefore, the separationapparatus can efficiently separate a highly concentrated liquid throughatomizing the liquid by the atomization apparatus and condensing suchmists for collection.

The mists of liquid having been atomized by the ultrasonic atomizationapparatus 1 is flowed into a collection unit 5 by means of the carriergas and collected in a collection unit 5. In the separation apparatusshown in FIG. 3, the collection unit 5 is connected to the ultrasonicatomization apparatus 1 through the duct 8 in order to allow the miststo flow into the collection unit 5. In the illustrated separationapparatus, the carrier gas is transferred into the collection unit 5 bymeans of a blower 9. In the separation apparatus, it should be notedthat the suction fan 23 of the blower mechanism 20 can also be jointlyused as a blower for transferring the carrier gas into the collectionunit 5.

In these separation apparatuses, the carrier gas containing the mists istransferred from the ultrasonic atomization apparatus 1 into thecollection unit 5. Particularly in the illustrated separation apparatus,the discharging side of the collection unit 5 is connected to theatomization chamber 4, and the carrier gas with the mist component beingseparated is circulated to the atomization chamber 4. In this separationapparatus, the carrier gas can preferably be selected from an inert gassuch as nitrogen, helium and argon. In this separation apparatus, theinert gas prevents the liquid from getting deteriorated in theultrasonic atomization apparatus 1 and/or in the collection unit 5.Thus, a highly concentrated liquid can be obtained in the state of ahigher quality. However, air can also be used as the carrier gas.Furthermore, in the separation apparatus, the carrier gas can also besupplied, without circulation, by being discharged at the dischargingside of the collection unit and through connection of air supply sourceto the atomization chamber. The air can be used as such carrier gas.

In the collection unit 5, the fine mists are condensed and collected asa highly concentrated alcohol liquid. Therefore, every structure ofbeing able to condense and collect the fine mists and having alreadybeen developed or to be developed in the future can be used for thiscollection unit 5. The mists, not being the gas in nature, can becondensed and collected without being necessarily cooled down. However,when the mists are cooled down, the collection can be accelerated. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 3, the collection unit 5 can incorporate acooling heat-exchanger 5A to cool the mists flowed into the collectionunit 5 for a larger dew condensation, to thus collect in the form ofliquid.

And, although not illustrated, the collection unit can also be sodesigned that a vapor of target substance such as alcohol contained inthe gas is adsorbed into an adsorbent for collection. In such collectionunit, for example, the alcohol adsorbed into the adsorbent can beremoved by using a heated recovery gas, and then the recovery gas iscooled to condense and recover the removed alcohol. Such a collectionunit can be composed of a rotor with the adsorbent provided in an airgap, and a rotational drive mechanism for rotating the rotor. The rotoris a honeycomb rotor having the air gap through which a carrier gas canpass in the direction of the rotational axis. As the adsorbent, forexample, any one of zeolite, activated carbon, lithium oxide and silicagel or a mixture of them can be used. In this collection unit, the rotoris rotated at a predetermined speed by means of the rotational drivemechanism and moved between an adsorbing region in which the vapor isadsorbed and a releasing region in which the adsorbed vapor is released.When the rotor is moved into the adsorbing region, the gas containingthe vapor of alcohol that is the target substance is passed through theair gap, and the alcohol contained as a target substance in the gas isadsorbed by the adsorbent. When the rotor is rotated and moved into thereleasing region, the adsorbed alcohol as a target substance isreleased. The released alcohol as a target substance is recovered bycooling the recovery gas. The gas having passed through the adsorbingregion of the rotor is moved back to the ultrasonic atomization chamberagain.

Further, regarding the collection unit, the closed chamber can beprovided with a liquid spraying nozzle for spraying the liquid out ofthe nozzle, for collection of the mists contained in the carrier gas. Inaddition, the collecting unit can be provided with a plurality ofbaffles inside, upon the surface of baffle the mists are impinged andadhered, and thus the liquid flowing down by itself can be collected.The baffle has an uneven or rugged surface to enable the mists to be incontact with the surface and collected more efficiently. Furthermore,the collection unit is provided with a fan for forcibly blowing andagitating the mists. Thus, the mists in the collection unit are agitatedand impinged upon each other, and the mists can be collected. Suchcondensed mists rapidly fall downward and can be collected.

Furthermore, the collection unit can be provided with a mist vibratorfor enhancing the probability of the mists being impinged upon eachother through the vibration of the mists. The mist vibrator includes anelectrical-to-mechanical oscillation converter for vibrating the gas inthe collection unit, and an electric vibration source for driving theelectrical-to-mechanical oscillation converter, wherein sound with anaudible frequency and/or an ultrasonic wave higher than the audiblefrequency are emitted to vehemently vibrate the mists for mutualimpingement in an efficient manner for a rapid collection.

In addition, the ultrasonic separation apparatus can have a nozzle forspraying the liquid, a fan for agitating the mists, and a vibrator forvibrating the mists, in a full set built inside the collection unit, andthus the mists can be condensed with the highest efficiency. Two unitsof such devices for condensing the mists may also be incorporated tocondense the mists efficiently.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The method and apparatus for ultrasonically atomizing the liquid, asembodied in accordance with the present invention, can atomize theliquid into the fine mists very efficiently, assuring that the inventioncan be used as a separation apparatus for atomizing Sake, alcohol usedfor Sake production, petroleum, crude oil or the like into the mists toobtain a highly concentrated solution as a target substance, or can beadvantageously used as a humidifier, etc. for atomizing water into themists to be vaporized into the air.

DENOTATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   1 . . . ultrasonic atomization apparatus    -   2 . . . ultrasonic oscillator    -   3 . . . ultrasonic power source    -   4 . . . atomization chamber    -   5 . . . collection unit; 5A . . . cooling heat-exchanger    -   6 . . . tubular body; 6A . . . spraying port    -   7 . . . supply mechanism    -   8 . . . duct    -   9 . . . blower    -   10 . . . liquid pump    -   11 . . . liquid reservoir    -   12 . . . bottom plate; 12A . . . opening    -   13 . . . supply port    -   14 . . . overflow port    -   15 . . . lead wire    -   16 . . . output transistor    -   17 . . . transformer    -   18 . . . connection plate    -   19 . . . discharge path    -   20 . . . blower mechanism    -   21 . . . suction mechanism    -   22 . . . suction port    -   23 . . . suction fan    -   24 . . . suction duct    -   25 . . . blast mechanism    -   26 . . . blower port    -   27 . . . blower fan    -   28 . . . blower duct    -   29 . . . injection portion    -   W . . . liquid surface    -   P . . . liquid column    -   m . . . center axis    -   L . . . vertical line

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A method for ultrasonically atomizing a liquid,comprising: ultrasonically oscillating the liquid in an atomizationchamber and allowing a liquid column to project in carrier gas to thusatomize the liquid into mists, the carrier gas carrying the atomizedmists outwardly of the atomization chamber; forcibly sucking the carriergas from a lateral point being away at a distance of 5 cm or less from acenter axis of the liquid column, whereby a gas flow is blown across theliquid column; separating the mists away from the liquid column by meansof such blown gas flow; and transferring such separated mists outwardlyof the atomization chamber by means of the carrier gas.
 14. The methodfor ultrasonically atomizing a liquid as recited in claim 13, whereinthe carrier gas is forcibly sucked from an intermediate point across aprojecting direction of the liquid column.
 15. The method forultrasonically atomizing a liquid as recited in claim 14, wherein thecarrier gas is blown to the liquid column from a first point and suckedinto a second point, and the gas flow is carried across the direction ofthe liquid column, whereby the mists are separated away from the liquidcolumn.
 16. The method for ultrasonically atomizing a liquid as recitedin claim 15, wherein the carrier gas is blown to the liquid column froma lateral point being away at a distance of 10 cm or less from thecenter axis of the liquid column, whereby the gas flow is blown acrossthe liquid column.
 17. The method for ultrasonically atomizing a liquidas recited in claim 13, wherein a plurality of liquid columns areprovided by ultrasonically oscillating the liquid in the atomizationchamber by means of a plurality of ultrasonic oscillators, wherein thecarrier gas is sucked from a lateral point being away at a distance of 5cm or less from a center axis of each of the liquid columns, whereby agas flow is blown across each of the liquid columns, wherein the mistsare separated away from each of the liquid columns by means of suchblown gas flow, and wherein the separated mists are discharged outwardlyof the atomization chamber by means of the carrier gas.
 18. The methodfor ultrasonically atomizing a liquid as recited in claim 17, whereinthe carrier gas is blown to each of the liquid columns from a lateralpoint being away at a distance of 10 cm or less from the center axis ofeach of the liquid columns, whereby the gas flow is blown across each ofthe liquid columns.
 19. An apparatus for ultrasonically atomizing aliquid, comprising: an atomization chamber for storing the liquid; aplurality of ultrasonic oscillators for ultrasonically oscillating theliquid and allowing a plurality of liquid columns to project from aliquid surface to thus atomize the liquid into mists; an amplifier forultrasound connected to the (plurality of) ultrasonic oscillators tosupply high-frequency power thereto for ultrasonic oscillation; and ablower mechanism for blowing a carrier gas to the atomization chamber,wherein the blower mechanism comprises a suction mechanism, the suctionmechanism being provided with a suction port at a lateral point beingaway at a distance of 5 cm or less from a center axis of each of theliquid columns generated by each of the ultrasonic oscillators, wherebythe carrier gas is sucked into the suction port and blown across each ofthe liquid columns, and wherein the suction mechanism blows the gas flowagainst each of the liquid columns to thus separate the mists from eachof the liquid columns and discharge such (separated) mists outwardly ofthe atomization chamber.
 20. The apparatus for ultrasonically atomizinga liquid as recited in claim 19, wherein the blower mechanism comprises:a suction mechanism provided with the suction port at a lateral pointaway from the liquid column generated by each of the ultrasonicoscillators, whereby the carrier gas is sucked into the suction port;and a blower mechanism provided with a blower port for blowing thecarrier gas against each of the liquid columns, wherein the blowermechanism blows the carrier gas against the liquid column, and thesuction mechanism sucks the carrier gas out of the lateral point awayfrom the liquid column to allow the carrier gas to flow across theliquid column.
 21. The apparatus for ultrasonically atomizing a liquidas recited in claim 20, wherein the blower mechanism is provided withthe suction port at a lateral point being away at a distance of 10 cm orless from the center axis of each of the liquid columns.
 22. Theapparatus for ultrasonically atomizing a liquid as recited in claim 20,wherein the suction port and blower port are positioned respectively atopposing lateral points away from the liquid column.
 23. The apparatusfor ultrasonically atomizing a liquid as recited in claim 22, wherein adistance between the suction port and blower port is 15 cm or less. 24.The apparatus for ultrasonically atomizing a liquid as recited in claim20, wherein the suction mechanism comprises a suction duct provided withthe suction port at a lateral point away from each of the liquidcolumns, while the blower mechanism comprises a blower duct providedwith the blower port at a lateral point away from each of the liquidcolumns, wherein the suction duct and blower duct are positionedalternately in a plurality of lines, and each ultrasonic oscillator ispositioned between the suction duct and blower duct which are adjacentto each other, and wherein the carrier gas is blown from the blower portof the blower duct against each of the liquid columns generated by eachultrasonic oscillator, and the carrier gas is sucked into the suctionport of the suction duct.